Locating guard for electrical outlet receptacles



Dec. 3, 1957 2,815,144

LOCATING GUARD FOR ELECTRICAL OUTLET RECEPTACLES H. E. KULLANDER FiledJan. '15, 1956 INVENTOR. .HZ-wmue Khan/vase,

United States Patent LOCATING GUARD FOR ELECTRICAL OUTLET RECEPTACLESHenning E. Kullander, Long Beach, Calif. Application January 13, 1956,Serial No. 558,969

6 Claims. (Cl. 2203.4)

Thepresent invention relates to the field of electrical outlet.receptacle protective devices and more specifically to 'aa locatingguard that is temporarily applied to an electrical outlet receptacleprior to the plastering of the wall surface in which the receptacle islocated, to prevent the entry of foreign material into the receptacleduring plaster- 111g of said surface and to indicate the location ofsaid receptacle after plastering in the event that said receptacle hasbeen covered up.

A- major object of the invention is to provide a locating guard thatwill at all times indicate the position of the receptacle to which it isapplied but will not in any way interfere'with the application ofplaster to the surface in which said receptacle is located.

Another important objective of the invention is to furnish a device ofthis character that is adapted to prevent the accumulation of anydeposit of plaster or other foreign material in the receptacle to whichit is applied in the interim between initial installation of saidreceptacle and completion of plastering of the surface in which saidreceptacle is located.

Yet another object of the invention is to make available a guard that iseasily found in a plastered wall and is quickly and easily removabletherefrom in a manner that will not injure the finished surface, leavinga clean, sharp edge that exactly defines the opening of said receptacle.

It is also an object of the invention to supply devices of thischaracter which are easily fabricated from inexpensive materials so thatthey will not appreciably increase the cost of structures in which theyare used.

These and other objects and advantages of the invent-ion will. becomeapparent from the following description of a preferred form thereof andcertain variations thereof, and from the drawings illustrating thoseforms in which:

. Figure: 1' is a perspective view showing the invention imposition inan electrical outlet receptacle of a wall prior tothe surfacing of thewall;

Figure 2 is a perspective view of the form of invention shown in Figure1 showing the appearance of the invention' prior to folding thereof forinsertion into a receptacle;

Figure 3 is a horizontal sectional View of the device shown in Figure 1illustrating the condition of the inven-- tion and receptacle afterfinishing of the surface in which the receptacle is located;

Figure 4 is a perspective view of a variation of the invention adaptedfor use with a different type of recep-- tacle; and

Figure 5 is a perspective view of another variation of the inventionadapted for use with a receptacle of the type that encloses a telephoneor television antennae jack.

Referring-now to the drawing for the general arrange ment of theinvention and particularly to Figure 2 thereof, it will be seen that mynew locating guard, indicated. generally by the letter G, consists of agenerally rectang'ular sheet S of a rigid material, having a pair oflocators' L made of a flexible sheet material attached to foldableopposite side portions P thereof. Folding of said side portions causeslocaters L to extend outwardly from sheet S a distance greater than thethickness of the plaster T which is to be applied to the wall in whichelectrical outlet receptacle R is located. The folded side portions P ofguard G are placed inside the opening of receptacle R. The portion ofsheet S between protruding locators L defines a cover C of substantiallythe same configuration as the receptacle opening that is adapted to sealsaid opening against entry of plaster during the plastering of the wall.Locators L in no way interfere with the plastering operation becausethey yield to contact with the plastering tools, and after thecompletion of the plastering job clearly indicate the position of guardG, so that it may be removed, leaving receptacle R in a clean condition.

Guard G of Figure 2 is specifically intended for use with an electricaloutlet receptacle R of the size shown in Figure 1 which is a metal boxadapted to house a single switch or two plug outlets. Receptacle R has afrontal opening 0 defined by two vertically disposed walls 10 and 12,and a top wall 14 and bottom wall 16. Attached to one of the verticalwalls, such as wall 10, is an L-shaped bracket 18 in whose outwardlyextending arm a pair of vertically spaced holes 20 are formed. As Figure3 shows, holes 20 are adapted to receive wood screws 22 by means ofwhich receptacle R is connected to the front face of a stud 24 thatforms part of a wall intended to be finished with plaster. It will benoted that bracket 18 supports receptacle R on said stud in such a waythat receptacle opening 0 extends forwardly from stud 24 a greater, orat least an equal, distance as the thickness of the sheet rock, lath orplasterboard 26 supported on the wall studs and a lesser distance thanthethickness of the coat of plaster T that is applied to theplasterboard.

Although not shown, it is usual for electrical outlet receptacles to beprovided with interiorly disposed tabs on the top and bottom wallsthereof in which threaded holes are formed to provide means forattaching a permanent cover plate to the receptacle. As will be obviousby reference to Figure 3, if receptacle R is not provided with atemporary protective device such as my guard G, during the applicationof plaster T portions thereof are deposited within receptacle R,adhering thereto, covering the interiorly disposed tabs therein andfrequently completely covering receptacle opening 0. After the plasterdries, discovering the exact location of receptacle R may be diflicultand, once found, the removal of plaster fromthe receptacle withoutdamage to the finished plaster surface is a time-consuming operation.

Guard G should be an inexpensive article that may be disposed of afterbut a single use thereof. Accordingly, although sheet S may be made ofany suitable semi-rigid material that is capable of being folded, heavypaper stock or cardboard is an appropriate material. Sheet S issubstantially rectangular in configuration and has a pair of verticallyextending parallel fold lines 28 formed therein each of which is spacedinwardly from a side edge 30 of said sheet. Fold lines 28 are spacedapart from one another approximately the same distance as the spacebetween the interior surfaces of opposite receptacle sidewalls 10 and 12to define a central area 32 of the same width as receptacle opening 0.

The areas of sheet S between fold lines 28 and side edges 30 constitutetwo oppositely disposed side portions 34 of sheet S of the same or lesswidth than the depth of receptacle R. Sheet S is foldable along foldlines 28 so that side portions 34 extend in the same directionrearwardly from the plane of central area 32 and substantially normalthereto. The distance between upper and lower edges 36 of side portions34 is the same as, or less than, the vertical spacing between theoppositely disposed interior surfaces of receptacle top Wall 14 andbottom Wall 16, so that said side portions are insertable withinreceptacle R in frictional contact with the interior surfaces of,

oppositely disposed receptacle side walls 10 and T2. The distancebetween upper and lower edges 38 of central area 32 is greater than saidinterior vertical spacing of receptacle R so that the extreme top andbottom areas of central area 32 that lie between vertical edges 40 thatare prolongations of fold lines and prolongations of horizontal upperand lower edges 36 of said side portions, define extended tabs 42. Tabs42 rest on the top and bottom edges of receptacle opening when guard Gis in place in receptacle R, and prevent movement of said guard inwardbeyond the plane of opening 0. It will be seen from Figure 1 thatcentral area 32 of sheet S substantially completely occupies receptacleopening 0 and conse quently there is no possibility of plaster T beingdeposited within receptacle R.

The locators L for at all times indicating the position of receptacle Rduring and after plastering comprise two sheets 44 of a flexiblematerial that will not deteriorate under the influence of moisture orthe constituents of the plaster. A wide variety of synthetic plasticmaterials are suitable for this purpose. Each flexible sheet 44 is anelongate rectangular member that is fastened along an inner edge 48 bymeans of staples 46, or other suitable fastening means, to one of sideportions 34 of sheet S so that when said side portion is folded,flexible sheet 44 turns in unison therewith to protrude outwardly to thefront of guard G a greater distance than the thickness of the coat ofplaster T to be applied, as is shown in Figure 3. As can be seen inFigure 2 of the drawing, when guard G is in the fiat, unfoldedcondition, flexible sheets 44 overlap both central area 32 and sideportions 34 of sheet S. The portion of sheet 44 that overlaps sideportion 34 is of the same length as said side portion, having top andbottom edges 50 that coincide with upper and lower edges 36 of sideportion 34. The portion of sheet 44 that overlaps central area 32 is ofthe same length as said central area, having top and bottom edges 52that coincide with upper and lower edges 38 of central area 32 Thedistance between fold lines 28 and outer edges 54 of sheets 44 isgreater than the thickness of the coat of plaster T.

The manner of use of the invention is extremely simple. In the flat,unfolded condition, a stack of guards G is easily packaged so as to beconveniently carried about on the job, or a single one of such guardsmay be packaged with each receptacle R. Flexible sheets 44 tend toreinforce foldable sheet S so that the device is capable of withstandingrough usage and not be deformed to an extent making it unsuitable foruse. After a receptacle R has been fastened to a stud 24 in the mannerpreviously set forth, and after plasterboard 26 is in place, sideportions 34 of a guard G are folded and mounted into receptacle R, theinner portions of flexible sheets 44 and side portions 34 frictionallyengaging the interior surfaces of re ceptacle side walls and 12 tomaintain guard G in place. Sheet 8 then is channel-shaped incross-section, thus increasing the rigidity of central area 32 toprevent rupture thereof when troweling pressure is applied there on,while tabs 42 prevent movement of guard G inwardly of receptacle R. Asplaster T is applied, the flexible nature of sheets 44 permits thesurface area around receptacle R to be troweled in the normal mannerbecause, as is indicated in phantom line in Figure 3, sheets 44 yield tocontact with the plastering tool. At the same time sheets 44 tend toprevent the depositing of plaster therebetween,

and such plaster as does enter therebetween is prevented.

from entering receptacle R by cover area 32. If receptacle R shouldbecome totally covered with plaster T, sheets 44 nevertheless exactlyindicate the outline and position of said receptacle.

After plaster T is dry, guard G may be removed meresize.

. v 4 1y by cutting through the plaster next to sheets 44 and betweenthe top and bottom edges thereof. The protruding portions of sheets 44may then be grasped to withdraw guard G, leaving the plaster adjacentthe opening of receptacle R with clean, straight edges.

Figure 5 shows a location guard G that is identical to previouslydescribed guard G in all respects except as to Guard G is of such sizeas to present a substantially square outer area 32' of sheet S that isintended to cover the opening of a receptacle R of the size and shapecommonly used to house a telephone or television outlet jack. Its mannerof use is identical to the use of guard G.

Another commonly used type of electrical outlet receptacle is picturedin Figure 4. This receptacle, designated generally as R", is ordinarilyused for ceiling fixtures and has a substantially octagonal opening 0"that is defined by four equal side walls 56 situated at right angles toone another and four equal corner walls 58 of lesser length than sidewalls 56 and situated at an angle of 45 to said side walls. Guard G",that is intended for use with receptacle R, is similar to guard G exceptthat center area 32" thereof is substantially square and it has fourrather than two fold lines and side portions 34" formed therein.Extended tabs 42" of sheet S" are formed at the corners thereof and areadapted to abut corner walls 58 of receptacle R", and guard G isprovided with four protruding flexible sheets 44" rather than two. GuardG" is used in the same manner as guard G.

Although the forms of the invention herein shown and described are fullycapable of achieving the objects and providing the advantageshereinbefore enumerated, it is to be understood that they are merelyillustrative of the presently preferred embodiment of the invention, andthat they are not meant to be limited to the details of constructionherein shown and described other than as defined in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A locating guard for an electrical outlet receptacle for preventingentry of foreign material into said receptacle during the plastering ofthe surface in which said receptacle is located and for indicating thelocation thereof after said surface is plastered, including: a sheet ofrigid cardboard material having at least two fold lines formed thereinthat define a central area of said sheet that has substantially the sameconfiguration as an opening in said receptacle, which lines define atleast two side portions of said sheet that can be folded to a positionsubstantially normal to the plane of said central area, said sideportions when so folded being adapted to be received within saidreceptacle in frictional engagement with interior surfaces thereof tomaintain said guard in said receptacle with said central area thereofcovering said receptacle opening; means on said guard for maintainingsaid central area in substantially the same plane as the edge of saidreceptacle opening; and a sheet of flexible material fastened to each ofsaid side portions that projects outwardly from said receptacle beyondthe plane of said central area a greater distance than the thickness ofthe plaster to be applied to said surface to at all times indicate thelocation of said receptacle, which flexible sheets are yieldable tomovement thereagainst of a trowel.

2. A device as defined in claim 1 in which said rigid sheet issubstantially rectangular in configuration and has a pair of parallelfold lines spaced inwardly from opposite.

edges thereof to define a pair of elongate rectangular side portionsthat are foldable in the same direction away from said central area topositions substantially normal to the plane thereof, with the spacingbetween said side portions being substantially equal to the spacingbetween opposite interior surfaces of said receptacle so that said sideportions can frictionally engage said interior surfaces to hold saidguard in said receptacle.

3. A device as defined in claim 1 in which said rigid sheet issubstantially rectangular in configuration and has four fold linesformed therein each of which is spaced inwardly from an edge of saidmember to define two pairs of oppositely disposed elongate rectangularside portions that are foldable in the same direction away from saidcentral area to positions substantially normal to the plane thereof,with the spacing between opposite side portions being substantiallyequal to the spacing between corresponding opposite interior surfaces ofsaid receptacle so that said side portions can frictionally engage saidinterior surfaces to hold said guard in said receptacle; and said meanscomprise a corner tab at each corner of said rigid sheet.

4. A locating guard for an electrical outlet receptacle for preventingthe entry of foreign material into said receptacle during the plasteringof the surface in which said receptacle is located and for indicatingthe location thereof after said surface is plastered, including: a coverfor said receptacle that is a sheet of rigid cardboard material ofsubstantially the same configuration as an opening in said receptacle;means on said cover for frictionally maintaining it on said receptacleover said opening and in substantially the same plane to seal saidreceptacle against the entry of any foreign material therein; andlocators on said guard that comprise at least two sheets of a flexiblematerial pivotally connected to opposite edges of said cover, each ofwhich sheets are movable to a position substantially normal to the planeof said cover in which said locators project outwardly from saidreceptacle a greater distance than the thickness of the plaster to beapplied to said surface to at all times indicate the location thereof,with said sheets being yieldable to movement of a trowel thereagainst.

5. A locating guard for an electrical outlet receptacle for preventingentry of foreign material into said re ceptacle during the plastering ofthe surface in which said receptacle is located and for indicating thelocation there of after said surface has been plastered, including: acover that is formed of a substantially rectangular sheet of rigidcardboard material having two parallel fold lines formed therein, eachof which fold lines is spaced inwardly from opposite edges of said coverto define two opposite side portions thereof, with said fold lines beingspaced apart substantially the same distance as the space betweenopposite interior surfaces of said receptacle to define therebetween acentral area of said cover of substantially the same configuration as anopening in said receptacle, and having opposite top and bottom edgeportions thereof that are adapted to protrude beyond opposite edges ofsaid receptacle opening; and locators that comprise a pair ofsubstantially rectangular sheets of flexible material 'disposed on thetop surface of said cover, each of which sheets is fastened to one ofsaid side portions of said cover so that when said side portions arefolded in the same direction away from said central area to positionssubstantially normal to the plane thereof and are placed inside saidreceptacle, they frictiona'lly engage the opposite interior surfaces ofsaid receptacle, with said locators protruding outwardly from saidreceptacle a greater distance than the thickness of the plaster to beapplied to said surface to at all times indicate the location thereof,said locators being yieldable to movement of a trowel thereagainst.

6. A locating guard for an electrical outlet receptacle for preventingentry of foreign material into said receptacle during the plastering ofthe surface in which said receptacle is located and for indicating thelocation thereof after said surface is plastered, including: a coverthat is formed of a rectangular sheet of a rigid material having twopairs of parallel fold lines formed therein, each of which fold linesbeing spaced inwardly from an edge of said cover to define two pairs ofopposite side portions thereof, said fold lines of each pair beingspaced apart substantially the same distance as the space betweenopposite interior surfaces of said receptacle to define therebetween acentral area of said cover of substantially the same configuration as anopening in said receptacle and having an extended tab portion formed ineach corner thereof that is adapted to protrude beyond the corners ofsaid receptacle to prevent movement of said cover into said receptaclebeyond the plane of said opening; and locators that comprise a pair ofsubstantially rectangular sheets of flexible material disposed on thetop surface of said cover, each of which sheets being fastened to one ofsaid side portions of said cover so that when said side portions arefolded in the same direction away from said central area to positionssubstantially normal to the plane thereof and are placed inside saidreceptacle they frictionally engage the opposite interior surfaces ofsaid receptacle, with said locators protruding outwardly from saidreceptacle a greater distance than the thickness of the plaster to beapplied to said surface to at all times indicate the location thereof,said locators being yieldable to movement of a trowel thereagainst.

Braden Aug. 25, 1925 Reilly Jan. 19, 1954

